Diverse energy sources provide us with the energy we need to live and work. These include solar, wind geothermal, biomass, and geothermal sources. In addition to being an important source of electricity they are also used for transportation and heating. The main issue with these sources of energy is that they may cause greenhouse gas emissions when burned to produce electricity. This creates the need for renewable energy sources that are more sustainable.
The most popular type of energy is the fossil fuels, made up of coal, oil, and natural gas. They were formed millions of years ago when animals and plants of the past died and were buried by layers of sedimentary rock. In the right conditions, they slowly transformed into carbon-rich substances which, when burnt produce energy. The fossil fuels cannot be renewable, as they’ll become depleted by the time we reach our age or in a variety of lives.
Renewable energy sources are continuously replenished. The sun is the most important source of renewable energy since it provides light and heat. We use it to power our homes as well as for businesses and automobiles. Wind is an energy source that is renewable and generates electricity through spinning turbines. We have been using it since we first began to harness the wind for millennia. Finally, we use biological processes to create ethanol (a clear alcohol that can be used to fuel) from crops and waste.
In the list of sources hydropower is the biggest renewable energy source in the United States, though wind and biofuels are expected take the lead soon. Hydropower uses the natural water cycle to harness water’s swift flow, which in turn can be used to produce electricity.